The Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames meet in NHL action from the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday night. Who will come out on top in this west coast showdown? Let’s preview this game and give out a Canucks vs. Flames Prediction.
Vancouver Canucks Team Preview
The Vancouver Canucks come into this game looking to rebound from a 4-1 loss to Vegas in their last matchup. J.T. Miller leads the Canucks with 36 points including 13 goals and 23 assists while Quinn Hughes has 33 points with 8 goals and a team-high 25 assists. Elias Pettersson’s added 30 points with 21 assists and Brock Boeser’s chipped in 27 points with a team-high 17 goals of his own. Filip Hronek’s added 23 points with 21 assists as well for the Canucks this season. Thatcher Demko’s gone 11-6 with a 2.21 GAA and a .926 save percentage in goal for Vancouver while Casey DeSmith is 4-2-1 with a 3.06 GAA and a .907 save percentage this season.
Vancouver Canucks Team Facts
- The Canucks have won six of their last eight games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Canucks have covered the puck line in each of their last nine games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canucks’ last nine games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Canucks have lost the second period in four of their last five games as underdogs following a home loss.
Calgary Flames Team Preview
The Calgary Flames come into this game looking to build on back-to-back OT wins after a 4-3 victory over Dallas last time out. Elias Lindholm, Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau each have 15 points with Lindholm and Kadri each logging 5 goals and 10 assists while Huberdeau has a team-high 11 assists. Andrew Mangiapane has 14 points with 5 goals and 9 assists while Blake Coleman has a team-high 6 goals with 7 assists and Mackenzie Weegar has 12 points with 6 goals and 6 assists of his own this season. Jacob Markstrom has gone 6-7-2 with a 2.93 GAA and a .897 save percentage while Dan Vladar is 4-2-1 with a 3.20 GAA and an .883 save percentage this season.
Calgary Flames Team Facts
- The Flames have won each of their last six home games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Flames have failed to cover the puck line in 12 of their last 13 games as favorites following a home win.
- The Flames have won the third period in eight of their last nine games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Flames’ last five games as home favorites.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Calgary Flames ranks 29th in the league in power play percentage this season (10.96%).
- The Calgary Flames ranks 28th in the league for power play goals this season (8).
- The Vancouver Canucks ranks 2nd in the league for goals per game this season (3.83).
- The Vancouver Canucks ranks 4th in the league in power play percentage this season (28.74%).
Canucks vs. Flames Prediction
I’m backing the Flames here. Not often I do it, but the Flames got the better of the Canucks in this same matchup just a couple of weeks ago, and while the Canucks still have a lot of upside this season, they’re struggling with consistency right now. Calgary’s been able to string some wins together and this could be another opportunity for another solid showing and a big win. Give me Calgary in this one.
